Woolworths Katherine changes business hours due to safety concerns

Katherine crime is at record levels, as ‘safety concerns’ spark major changes to the town’s supermarket. Read the details.

Katherine recorded its highest amount of crimes against person in March 2025. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Katherine’s only supermarket will shorten its business hours due to “safety concerns” as crime increases across the town.

From May 19, Woolworths Katherine will operate from 7am to 7pm daily, rather than 7am to 10pm.

A Woolworths spokesman said the changes would ensure the safety of shoppers and staff.

“We have amended the trading hours of our Katherine Supermarket from 7am – 10pm to 7am – 7pm effective Monday 19 May until further notice,” the spokesman said.

“The safety and wellbeing of our team and customers is of the utmost importance to us, and we believe that this change in trading hours will help to reduce the likelihood of incidents occurring.”

Woolworths is the town’s only major supermarket. Picture: Glenn Campbell

A manager of a store within the shopping centre spoke to this masthead anonymously.

He said safety had been a concern for himself and his staff.

“We can hear screaming and fighting outside throughout the day,” he said.

“But in the evenings it gets worse.

“When I came here three years ago, I was not worried, but now the town’s become hectic.

“It’s no longer a calm town – you never know what will happen next.”

Crime is on the rise in Katherine. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Crime statistics from NT Police show 133 crimes against persons in March 2025 – the highest amount in the past 16 months.

It also shows a 60 per cent increase on March 2024 numbers.

Member for Katherine Jo Hersey said she shared the concerns of her constituents who had raised safety concerns about Woolworths Katherine and the level of anti-social behaviour.

“The change in operating hours by Woolworths in Katherine is a business decision, but I acknowledge the staff’s safety concerns especially on late night shifts,” she said.

“Members of the community have raised safety concerns with me about Woolworths and Katherine and I share their concerns.”

Ms Hersey said she had urged the town’s night patrol to start its circuit at the shopping centre car park in response to safety issues.

“There is a nightly patrollers meeting from 7pm every Thursday to Sunday with Police, Kalano, the circuit breaker team and public housing safety officers,“ she said.

Katherine community night patrol. Picture: Jo Hersey

“I asked if this meeting could move and start in the Woolworths car park instead of the town centre.”

The union representing shop workers said it supported the changed hours.

“The SDA supports any measure that makes workers safer,” SDA secretary Josh Peak said.

“Workers have reported feeling unsafe leaving work late at night.

“Where employers identify risks, appropriate controls need to be implemented.

“Reducing trading hours is a control measure to reduce the risk of customer abuse and violence.”